Tips on living well in S. California

 Hello everyone, thanks for your patience on waiting for me to figure out how to write this blog. So I have been in S. California since 2006. Please note, what works for me might not necessarily work for you. We all need a little help with how to navigate better in life. So a little about my lifestyle. I am a single woman, 35 years old, I do not have children and currently I am happily single. With that I have the luxury of changing some of my expenses and playing around with what I am able to do. 

1. After high school (I didn't go to HS here), go to either Vocational school or Junior college (community college). DO NOT DECLARE A MAJOR! I recommend Jr. College as you can take a variety of classes to figure out what you are interested in. Get involved in clubs, you will increase not only your friend circle but you can network.
2. With the above advice, it will help you save money for your future, apply for on campus jobs. Apply for Board of Governor's fee waiver. Apply for financial aid, stalk their office and keep applying for grants, scholarships, and any free money. 
3. Make an expense report on excel or paper, list out all your important expenses that everyone of us have to pay (Car registration, rent, phone plan books, clothes), also include your "fun" (dining out, movies, Netflix etc.) expenses.
4. Look on craigslist for apartment listings based on your expenses and income level
5. Shop around for Car Insurance, I guarantee that you are paying too much (AAA is really good)
6. Shop around for phone plans (don't forget the pay by plans like in Walmart)
7. Try to reduce your fun expenses by cooking at home via meal kits if you are a beginner or not very good at cooking, watch videos on you tube to improve your food flavors and variety.
8. Make grocery lists and stick as much you can to it! 
9. Download Apps for grocery store, shops to save money for their coupons (Retail me not is not always reliable, try Ibotta). Save your "junk" mail as they have manufacturer's coupons for everyday items.
10. Get a happy planner: It will help you organize your life! Trust me once you get used to them they are a God sent gift!

These are my few tips to help you live better, and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any concerns or need any additional help asmaraja708@gmail.com, instagram: smi708 

Motivational Speaker, Tyson Michael

 Hello folks, so today I spoke with a motivational speaker named Tyson, please do check him out on 

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/tysonmichael_/?hl=en

You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf8IDfpj_no1zvMUAeLZCA/videos

He is only 22, and already ahead of his game, and a person to watch and follow. Age is just a number, do not let it deter you, he's an old soul in a young man's body (in a good way). We all need help in our lives, sometimes more than usual and for me this pandemic has taken its toll. We talked about how I am worth as a person and that I should present myself to others in order to be my very best self. We talked about how Happy Planners has changed my and my friend's lives for the better. It was so easy and natural to talk to him, I felt as though I was talking to an old friend. My next post will be on tips on how to live in S. California, and how to navigate some of the things that I have struggled with and now I am aware of how to make it easier for others. 

Another day in my life

Hello fellow humans, first of all thank you all for all of your amazing vibes. Many good things are happening, also I spent 8/20 with my dad as it was his birthday. I am moving into an apartment with another person, this is exciting as I can finally rest easy knowing I’m not putting my faiji and fuaji’s (aunt and uncle) life in danger. Many of you are probably wondering what Smi means, it’s my nickname that my family has given me. My nanima (maternal grandma) used to call me Asmini which means Jasmine. And my lovely cousins used to call me Asmi, as a tender term. Somehow it got even more shortened to Smi, my friend Alkesh was the first to call me that. I have been so extraordinarily blessed that I feel overwhelmed by the love from everyone. You have my utmost gratitude, and I can only hope you feel the same love from me. Here’s a motivational photo I found hope it helps 

What makes food taste good?

 I remember being very particular about what I ate, I really disliked boring and mundane food. I used to complain to my mother about the food that was made. Some of the everyday items she made were flavorless, while others may argue that my mother made good food. Yes in most food she made really flavorful items, but others were not worthy. In fact I remember when my nanima (maternal grandmother) came to stay with us for a few days, usually I disliked my mother's yellow dal, but when my nanima made it, it was amazing. I think my mother was very offended and jealous that I liked nanima's cooking better. So what made it taste better? My nani added smoke (by added a coal on top), and a little bit spicer. One of my favorite food is Carne Asada (grilled beef/steak) taco, it has all the elements I love salt, fat, heat and acid that's what makes an exceptional taco. When Netflix came out with the show Salt Fat Heat Acid, I felt as though I found my guru in cooking. I really enjoyed Samin's sense of humor and her authenticity, check out her cookbook https://amzn.to/2Y8gnPR Think about your favorite food, does it have all these elements? If not what if you added it? Take something as simple as plain yogurt, I added sambal olek (a red chili paste) to it and it made it taste amazing, the chili added heat and acid to it. Try it and let me know what you have done to improve any regular food

The Search for truth

 Ever since I was young, I did not believe in the religion I was born into. There were so many inconsistencies that I couldn't fathom why I did not believe in it. I tried my best to fit in and listen to my mother's wishes, but I was beyond miserable. Lately the pandemic has been helping seek our truth within via meditation and reading books. Resources like books, podcasts, and youtube channels. A great motivational coach is Jay Shetty https://jayshetty.me/ his videos are really good, another good one is Dhar Mann https://www.dharmann.com/ I am listing resources for everyone so it's easier to access. I do not get paid for listing these but please leave any suggestions to improve upon or if you want me to cover any additional topics. I am still learning to be better but what works is asking yourself what is that you want via meditation. Call upon who you connect with, whether it Jesus, Moses, Vishnu, Ram, Krishna, Mohammad, Hazarat Ali, Buddha, etc. 

A New Day

 I have always been a rather quiet child and naive too. Ever since I can remember I was bullied starting with my own cousins this was when I was younger but then we all became best friends later, to 1st grade and then again in 2nd (in a new school), then in high school (my other cousin who left for Colombo later and her friends). I don't know why I didn't stand up for myself, perhaps I was used to it or maybe I was trying to be nice. All I know is that someone else always stood up for me or helped me, in 1st grade it was my dad when he found out that a classmate was taking my lunch money, thus I changed schools. Then in 2nd a classmate used to punish me for no reason (she was what was called a class monitor), my other classmates stood up for me (they told the teacher that I didn't do anything). This is also where I met my best friend Sheliza, she too stood up for me against other bullies. In high school, again when my dad found out, he got very angry and told me to stand up for myself. I have just been going through life trying to please everyone else and not helping myself in any way, I was so used to being a doormat that I felt lost. It's only after so many episodes that I have learned to undo those ill habits and be a voice for myself. When I look back, I have already forgiven all my bullies, as they have made me learn to be better and learn empathy. I do wish I had someone to talk to back then and I could tell them what was going on, but I cannot change what has happened. Many books have helped me with my journey, my favorite is Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramansha Yogananda. https://amzn.to/3fBqwuh

Another one is Passage through Eternity by Azmina Suleman https://amzn.to/3fDzneX

these books have really changed my view on life, there are countless others too that have contributed to who I am today, if you want a list feel free to comment below and I will be happy to recommend more. I am always looking to expand my knowledge on metaphysical topics, but of course I enjoy fiction and other books too.

Instapot!

Hello Everyone, there are so many recipes I want to make, however most Indian cooking requires soaking the lentils or beans overnight and then cooking it for a long time. We (modern people) do not have time for that... cue fanfare so Instapot to the rescue! Yay! I highly recommend using Instapots for all your cooking adventures! Also for any cooking tips and tricks please visit https://www.youtube.com/user/RaihanasCuisines she breaks down all the steps for cooking and she's very well versed in Indian cooking, especially the type of food I like to make which is a fusion of Indian and E. African! My future posts will include pictures of what I make for now readers, stay tuned and thank you for your support! Please click below to check it out.

https://amzn.to/3klPZvr